What is a prayerful life?Prayer life.One of the most attentive questions that is asked me by my children: "So mom, where are you in your spiritual life?"

It began years ago and I pray that it continues for years to come. We ask each other that question. I think it comes down to a position of prayer.

The prayerful life is the prayer-filled life.

Somewhat basic, don't you think?

But, it is oh so hard to continue walking in on a daily basis.

In Ephesians, we are called to put on the full armor of God. But putting on armor is a task.

Living in a land where castles peak through the mountains, I look out my window and see one, I walk and sit and pray at an ancient castle - armor is not such a distant thought. These castles came with no AC, no heating, and no indoor plumbing. The castles that did have toilets simply built a room high up on the side of the castle wall, the room would be small and attached to the outside wall, it had a hole in the floor and usually opened over the moat. Are you getting the picture here????? I digress...

My point: life was not easy in those days. Armor was not something put on in a minute. One didn't wake up in the morning and jump out of bed, hit the floor and pull out the armor from the dryer, slip it on and be out the door in five minutes. Putting on the armor took time, patience, and help! Armor was heavy! And Full Armor!!!! I wonder what that was like. Oh I've seen the pictures, but the weight alone would have been enough to roll me over.

Putting on the full armor of God, what does that mean exactly? One thing I know for sure I'm not armed well enough. Are you? I mean it. If I was, would Satan be able to send his fiery darts and thwart me throughout the day - on anything????? Nope, I've come to the conclusion: I am not armed well enough. I need HIM more.

Looking at Ephesians 5:10 I read:

Finally,

(I laugh when I read this, it reminds me that I am way to busy in all of these other things to do the most important thing - you know what I mean... When I FINALLY do something, it is because I have come to the end of my rope! - my editorial - not worth much)

so back to the scripture:

10. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

(Who is my strength in? Recognize it... it is not in myself, not in the armor, but in the Lord and in his mighty power!)

(Why do I put it on? So I can stand against the devil's schemes. He is a crafty sucker - isn't he?)

12. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,

(my neighbor is not the enemy, my sister is not the enemy, my husband, my wife, my child - none of them are the enemy)

but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

(In my old Christian Bubble - it was not so clear, albeit active - this spiritual battle. Sitting in a room of internationals, in a country that has long since allowed their relationship with God to be buried, it is not only clear but defined and real - it throbs with intensity!)

13. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when (not if, but when) the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand.

(Here we go with that full armor of God phrase again. You think He thinks it is important? But what else does he say? That we may be able to stand our ground! STAND! Stand and be counted. Even that is a battle in this land...)

14. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around our waist

(I really don't like belts, but they keep my pants up! And they protected the innards of the warriors. - do you see any importance in a 'Truth Belt'? My Jewish friend says our innards or stomachs are where our passions lie. I need a truth belt on my passions - do you? And not just the sexual ones either!)

With the breastplate of righteousness in place,

(goes well with a 'Truth Belt' don't you think? Jesus Christ is my righteousness and I'm glad that he covers my heart)

15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

(If you have read my blog for any length of time, you know I have a thing for feet. They are so important to the very life we lead. Fit our feet with the READINESS that comes from the Gospel of PEACE. - Now I have been known to meditate on that verse for days! - Just think about it for a minute. Fit (not a too tight uncomfortable shoe) with READINESS - dang!

I'm just not seeing a ‘red stiletto’ in my head when I visualize this shoe! Something more like a NIKE or a work boot, or maybe my favorite hiking shoes... get ready, get set, get going!

16. In addition to this take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

(OH Beloved ones... where is our faith? Have we left it in the shower somewhere? I know that this is such a hole for me. Father, help my unbelief!!!! - HE is able. Why must He prove Himself over and over?????? He IS the God of the Universe. )

17. Take up the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

(Cover that ole' head dear one. Cover it with that THICK helmet, that beautiful helmet - the spilt Blood of our Lord. And that heavy Bible, that deep word - commence it to goin’ - they knew their swords so well. They knew how long it was, how thick it was, and they kept it sharp. They knew how to use it!)

18. And PRAY in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."

(Prayer, Prayer, Prayer - covers it all. It continues, it moves in us, it breaths through us. Oh how I desire in the very depth of my being to be a prayer-filled woman.)

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A little about me

I am in the world almost every day. Okay, daily.Are you?

I am called to be salt and light.

A few days ago, one of the waiters at the local diner that I frequent in the wee hours of the morning shared some very personal information. I looked as she opened up her heart with her pitcher of coffee poised in her hand, ready to pour - but not pouring. She held it as if it were a shield. The longer she shared her heart the lower the coffee pot dropped. And finally when she asked me my thoughts, the coffee pot sat beside me on the table. We talked. We laughed. We shared our lives and our thoughts. It was a time to shine a little light and sprinkle a little salt.

Are you finding places that you meet people searching for the same things?

I have been a commissioned missionary. I left the foreign mission field in November of 2014. Now I am a home missionary. Not commissioned by an organization. Commissioned by Jesus.

Life is a mission field. I was a missionary in my classroom as a teacher before I left for the foriegn mission field. Before that I was a missionary with my family, neighbors and even in my church. I was a missionary from the moment I accepted Christ as my Savior at age 7.

So are you.

We are mutating missionaries.I'm blogging about the experience. Wanna join me?